"I read the news today, oh boy..."-The Beatles

As I was preparing for my radio show this morning, feeling good because it's Friday and Pitt advanced to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Basketball Tournament, came the news that Dan Seals had died at the age of 61.  I sat in stunned disbelief.  Another country music legend has passed on.

Dan, although he never knew it, was a major influence on my fledgling country music career.  See, I met Dan back in the late 1990's.  He performed at a local high school football field and, being the afternoon DJ at a local country radio station, I had the pleasure of interviewing him that day and seeing him perform later that night.  He played acoustic guitar with another acoustic guitarist and acoustic bassist.  No drums.  No huge laser light show.  No sexy background singers.  Just the three of them with their acoustic instruments.  Dan did whip out the sax during "Bop," but it was mainly the two acoustic guitars and bass.  The music they made that night really stayed with me.  It was simple, heartfelt and real.  The smallish crowd gathered at the football field enjoyed an intimate evening with a pop and country legend.

Following the show, I got to spend a few moments backstage with Dan.  He posed for a picture and we talked for a short while.  I told him I was trying to make it in the country music biz.  He wished me the best of luck and I headed home.

Let's back up for just a second.  In setting up the radio interview with Dan, I got to know Jill (her last name escapes me).  Jill was Dan's PR contact and we spoke for several days before and after the interview.  Hey, a contact is a contact in the music biz and Jill told me to call her anytime!

Months later, I made the trip to Nashville, demo tapes in hand, planning to traipse around Music Row knocking on doors looking for a break.  My first stop that morning, however, was at Dan's office and studio in Hendersonville, just north of Nashville.  I made an appointment through Jill to speak with Tim Rathert, a member of Dan's management team, to review my demo package before I hit downtown.  Tim asked me if I was a songwriter.  I said, indeed, the songs he was listening to were mine, but I didn't really consider myself a professional songwriter by any stretch.  I'll never forget what Tim said next:

"No one in this town needs to validate you!  If you write songs, then you're a songwriter!"

I've never forgotten those words.  Tim legitimized me right then and there and gave me the courage to move forward.

I was feeling like Leo DiCaprio on the bow of the Titanic when a very tall, friendly cowboy walked into the building.

"Hi, Dan!" I said.  He looked at me, pointed, and said, "Don't I know you from somewhere?"  I reminded him of the football field extravaganza from the year before, reintroduced myself, and we spent another moment or two talking.

Now, I'm not about to say Dan Seals and I were close buds.  I will just never forget his kindness and the kindness of the people around him toward a country music wannabe.  I will never forget the hospitality given me in his office in Hendersonville and that night at the football field.

As I write this, I am listening to IN A QUIET ROOM, an acoustic collection of Dan's greatest hits, both solo and with John Ford Coley.  It's the closest you can get to simulating that football field show.  No drums.  No laser light show.  No sexy background singers...although their voices would imply just that!  The music is intimate.  Heartfelt.  Simple.  Beautiful.

Dan will be laid to rest this weekend.  In lieu of flowers, Dan's family has asked for all of us to, quote, "oppose bigotry, intolerance and prejudice."

In Dan's honor, I am going to do just that.

I ask the same of you.

Rest in peace, Dan.  I will miss you.